Before answering the question, how does a hydrofoil surfboard work? We should first look into what a hydrofoil is and how it came to conquer the water sports industry.

The beginnings of hydrofoiling

In the late 18th century, Frenchman Emmanuel Denis Farcot was granted a British patent for the first adaptation of a hydrofoil on a vessel. However, the first successful prototype of a hydrofoil is credited to Scotsman Alexander Bell (yes the same guy who invented the telephone) in 1911 and ever since then the hydrofoil has been present in the boating industry, allowing ships to sail faster and more efficiently.

A hydrofoil is an underwater wing. Their appearance and purpose is similar to the aerofoils used by airplanes. As a boat with a hydrofoil gains speed it is lifted out of the water due to the foil’s unique design, decreasing drag, gaining speed and allowing it to cut through choppy water without feeling the full impact of the bumps like one would on a normal vessel.

The growth of foiling

Thanks to its big success in boating it didn't take long for the hydrofoil to conquer the water sports industry. From the surf, kitesurf, windsurf and SUP world a new sport emerged: Foiling. It is getting more and more popular by the minute, so it is no surprise that you can now spot people with their hydrofoil boards out cruising in almost any body of water.

Foiling is the unique sensation of flying above water, breaking free of the drag you would normally get from a board moving through the water.

The physics behind the hydrofoil

So, how does a hydrofoil surfboard work? A hydrofoil surfboard is basically a surfboard with a hydrofoil mounted to the bottom. The hydrofoil refers to the mast, fuselage, front wing and back wing which are attached to the underside of a surfboard towards the rear.

The main reason that hydrofoils work is because of Newton's Third Law: for every action force there is an equal and opposite reaction force. In layman's terms, this means that for every unit of force that the hydrofoil is pushing down on the water, the water is pushing back with the same force.

These are the foil metrics you should have in mind when selecting your hydrofoil.

Surface Area

The area of the foil determines the amount of lift. The larger the hydrofoil the more lift you can get at slower speeds and the easier it can be to control. The smaller the foil the less lift during slow speeds however at faster speeds you get the lift and more maneuverability on the waves.

Wingspan

The wing span is measured from tip to tip of the hydrofoil. A larger wingspan offers more stability however with a shorter wing you get more maneuverability and sharper turns.

Aspect Ratio (Wingspan2/ Wing Area)

While low aspect wings tend to be fuller, high aspect wings are wider and more slender. 

Low aspect wings generally create more drag which leads to a decrease in speed and glide, however they provide more lift at lower speeds and are easier to control which makes them perfect for beginners. 

Higher aspect foils can be harder to control at lower speeds but the efficiency of high aspect foils with high glide and low drag make them great for pumping. But this can also require more skill to control higher aspect foils on waves.

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Is the future of hydrofoil surfboards electric?

Hydrofoil surfboards are constantly evolving and in most recent years there has been a big boom in efoiling, which is the next evolution to the sport, making it accessible to the many. Thanks to the electric foil (Efoil), almost any body of water, anywhere in the world, can be turned into an unexpected and limitless playground. You are no longer dependent on the wind or the conditions of the sea.

It is a fast, quiet and emission free way to enjoy flying above water. The Efoil is in hot demand and growing quickly in popularity because it opens the door to all other foiling activities. And the best part about it is that to be able to efoil you don't need to be experienced in water sports, nor do you need to be in athletic shape, you don't have to be born with specific physical aptitudes to be able to efoil. All you need is to be in the mood to have a good time.

The Takuma Efoil range

The Cruising 2 - The most user-friendly efoil on the market

The Cruising 2 is extremely engaging for even the most experienced watersports athletes and simply breathtaking for complete beginners.

Designed to make learning to efoil as easy as possible, the board is extremely stable and intuitive to use.  The short mast and large wing surface area facilitate a smooth, stable take-off and effortless glide for all riders. Thanks to its increased comfort and stability you will be able to enjoy the sensation of flying above water in next to no time.

The Carver 2 - The first efoil completely dedicated to carving

The Carver 2 focuses on minimizing drag and maximizing comfort for a sublime carving session. It is designed for riders looking for a heightened sensation and an incredible gliding experience.

The board provides superb performance and excellent responsiveness underfoot. Thanks to its unique curved deck contour it creates a natural lower front foot stance, this forces water down as you take off giving you better control, acceleration and exceptional balance, while allowing you to perform precise manoeuvres with ease.

Click here to discover the new Carver 2

Prepare yourself for an adrenaline-filled new hobby!